On a cold February day more than three years ago, two children accompanied by caregivers, arrived at a train station in Dongguan from an orphanage in Jiangxi Province. After a 12-hour train ride, they were met at the train station by Jenny Smith, Executive Director of True Children's Home, and several staff members. The children, both only three-months-old, Ping, with a cleft lip and palate, and Ling, with a cleft palate, were the first two children welcomed into True Children's Home (TCH).

A lot has changed for them since that long train ride. Both received successful and life-changing surgeries through TCH. Both have been adopted into loving families. While True Children's Home does not provide adoption services, it partners with orphanages throughout China that actively pursue the adoption process for the children in their care.

Only a few short weeks after welcoming Ping into their family, Ping's adoptive family had this to say about his time at True Children's Home: "When asked how long Ping has been a part of our family, they are surprised at how well he is doing for such a short time with us. That's when I brag about TCH and his foster parents. I get tears in my eyes when I talk about the photo album we were given, the hair from his first haircut and the handmade quilt. His laughter is the sweetest sound. Thank you for everything you have given our family."

Hope for children like Ping and Ling began in 2000, when Alan and Twila True visited China exploring sites for their business. At one location they found what they thought was a pile of scrap material. It was actually a makeshift shelter that was home to a young woman and her infant child.

"I don't know what happened to that woman and young child, but I carried that image with me for several years. Providing a home, where children are nurtured and loved whatever their circumstances, where their lives could be changed by a simple medical procedure or a hug, became my life's goal. My hope is that someday, all the children who come to TCH will know that someone cared," Twila True says.

Since True Children's Home opened in February 2006 it has been making a significant difference in the lives of orphaned children. Starting with two children and one home, it has now expanded into two homes that house 22 children, a staff of 36 and additional programs which include foster care and community outreach. Their mission is clear; it's to provide funding for medical care and corrective surgeries, provide post-surgical care, place children with foster families and maintain a pro-active role in support of adoption of these children.

Katrina Ouyang is the director of both children's homes. She oversees the staff including the medical care coordinator, foster care coordinator, children's home supervisor and caregivers. Katrina also documents the milestones in each child's life as the TCH photographer.

"It is amazing to see how each child has changed. After each adoption I always reflect on the child and their time at the children's home," Ouyang says. She speaks fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese which enables her to communicate with foreign visitors, foster families, staff and Chinese visitors. "True Children's Home is more than a job to me; it is my life," she says.

The foster care program was added in November 2006 for children who have completed post-surgical care and are waiting adoption, thus allowing for space in the Home for other children needing surgery or care.  The TCH foster care coordinator selects local Chinese families who are willing to provide a safe, clean and loving environment for the children. Many foster families have provided care for several children.

One foster parent who has fostered three children says, "I deeply love the children I have fostered. It is difficult to say goodbye, really heartbreaking, but I always look ahead. Once I take care of a new child, I fall in love with that child. I could not tell you why but I do know that I will never stop caring for them." (Translated)

The Community Outreach Program allows for schools, businesses and organizations to learn more about True Children's Home and the opportunities for volunteering. It also encompasses fundraising activities and donation interests both in China and elsewhere around the world. Community Outreach has also enabled some children to remain with their birth family by providing funds for surgery within the local community.

The statistics are impressive for True Children's Home. More than 109 children have received care, 117 surgeries have been performed, 69 children have transitioned to foster care and 55 children have been adopted into five countries. There is a waiting list from orphanages wanting to send their children to TCH for medical care or surgical procedures. None of this would be possible without the caring and generosity of individuals, corporations, families and communities.

Groups world-wide have contributed to TCH through various means. A women's group gathers regularly to make blankets for each child; a jeweler has created necklaces with a portion of proceeds from their sale going to TCH; schools locally and abroad have fundraisers and supply drives to sponsor a child's surgery; a young man in Hong Kong swam an individual swim-a-thon to raise funds; the list goes on. Many prefer to sponsor a child's monthly care or surgery or donate items to the Home.

Volunteers are an integral part of any charitable organization. At True Children's Home volunteers are visible on a day-to-day basis. Some volunteer their time to play with the children regularly; some provide free labor when something breaks or needs to be repaired; some provide free services for the staff and children; many contribute in other ways.

 Deanna Gerken, one of many volunteers at TCH, volunteers her time putting together photo albums of each child for the adoptive parents so they will have pictures of the first haircut or first step. She and her husband, Brian, have also sponsored two surgeries.  "As I complete each child's album I am reminded of how much TCH does for each child. From the moment they arrive until they are adopted, they receive such tender care, love and respect.

"I see it in the pictures of their first bath, before and after surgery, playing, foster care and more. For me, it is emotional, but an overwhelming feeling of hope. The last page of each photo album is entitled ‘My New Family' and I always include a quote by Emily Langston which says, ‘A child is the greatest joy, the ultimate blessing.' To me, True Children's Home is the greatest joy, the ultimate blessing," says Gerken.

Locally, and consistently over the past few years, the Brazilian Women's Club of Dongguan (AMBD) has held large fundraisers for True Children's Home as well as other local charities. This year, on Sept. 19, they will once again host an event with a country-western flair at the Royal Lagoon Hotel. The Dongguan Women's International Club (DWIC) is partnering with them for the first time on this large event.  All proceeds will go to TCH.

Recently, a new and exciting phase of volunteerism and fundraising became an integral part of True Children's Home. Thanks to the generosity of a home décor supplier, a new store, Treasures of Hope, opened in Dongcheng, Dongguan. A surplus of inventory and samples, along with a desire and willingness to help True Children's Home, James Parsons, Executive Vice President of GuildMaster, approached Jenny Smith, Executive Director of TCH.

Parsons says, "My first experience was giving samples to TCH for a fundraiser. The response to the samples we donated was very positive, so I started thinking how to scale that first effort and provide more funding. Most factories and trading companies generate a large quantity of samples for regular customers and trade shows. Just in home furnishings there are thousands of samples created every month.

"I have been involved with adoption and foster care training in China for several years. I am a believer in TCH because of the change that is almost certain for a child in their care. Other organizations provide surgeries and offer a chance for a changed life, but TCH goes beyond that by funding the surgery and then works diligently to see that the child eventually gets placed in a loving home."

There are currently several suppliers and manufacturers donating products to the store and others that are planning to follow their example.  "This is a unique area where many manufacturers have samples and overstocked products. By donating these items to Treasures of Hope, this is a win-win situation that helps individuals and manufacturers and benefits TCH. Proceeds from the sale of items in the store go directly to benefit the children in our Home," Smith says.

Aaron Burns, Manager of Treasures of Hope, is confident that others will follow suit. "Right now, we are focusing on building the inventory of the store and connecting with more manufacturers and suppliers.  We are doing our best to keep our prices low and the quality of the products high.

"We will make it a point to bring in seasonal and holiday items. On Sept. 10, we will have a ‘Back to School' promotion and will have lucky draws for all customers who come to the store that day. In December, we are planning a community Christmas tree lighting and other charity projects," Burns says.

The store is staffed by two full-time employees and a number of volunteers. New items arrive weekly and are priced to sell quickly. "Response to our opening has been extremely positive and exciting. It's a very good location with items that are sometimes difficult to find around Dongguan. We invite people to come in and look around. It's a relaxing atmosphere, but most importantly proceeds benefit the children at True Children's Home," says Burns. Store hours are Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

True Children's Home has felt the recent economic crisis like everyone else. The cost of helping a child begins the day a phone call is received from the orphanage. Unfortunately, during such challenging times, there is always an increase in the number of children waiting to come to TCH.

The average cost of a surgical procedure can range from $1,100USD to correct a club foot, to more than $6,000USD for heart surgery. All funds, including proceeds from Treasures of Hope, go into the four program areas at True Children's Home. Administrative costs are underwritten by Alan and Twila True.

With Treasures of Hope now open, True Children's Home is looking toward a bright future in making a difference in the lives of children...one child at a time. The dreams and goals of a few, the dedication of many, and the generosity of countless people, give these children hope of a family, a future and the knowledge that indeed someone cared.

For more information on True Children's Home, please visit www.truechildrenshome.org. If you are a manufacturer or supplier and interested in donating to Treasures of Hope, please e-mail treasuresofhope@gmail.com.

Ernie's blog

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